Pubdate: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Kathleen Harris WE PAY FOR JAIL DRUG DEBTS, SAYS CORRECTIONS OFFICER OTTAWA -- Canadians are paying off inmate drug debts by reimbursing missing property in prisons, according to a Sun Media source. The veteran correctional officer for the Ontario region said most claims for lost, stolen or damaged items are bogus because the item has been traded off for drugs. "It's a scam. It's just one big farce," he said. "He submits a claim for his $300 pair of Nikes that have gone missing, the Crown can't prove where they are, so he ends up getting the money for them," he added. "In the meantime, he's paid off his drug debt with his hot-shot running shoes, colour television or Timex watch." Sun Media revealed that the Correctional Service of Canada paid $225,833 for 1,504 settlement claims for missing property in prisons in the last two fiscal years. CSC policy allows for the payments when it's deemed staff haven't exercised "reasonable care" to protect a prisoner's personal property. Documents obtained under Access to Information show taxpayers reimbursed convicted criminals for socks, rolling papers, stereos, watches and a variety of other items. Graham Stewart, executive director of the John Howard Society of Canada, said inmates deserve to have their personal property protected while in custody. "You go to jail to serve your sentence. You don't go to jail to be robbed or to have things lost," he said "There is a responsibility to care for prisoners in a variety of ways. People are still citizens when they're in jail, and they're still entitled to a level of care." To promote a "respectful" prison environment, CSC has an obligation to protect personal property, Stewart said. But he said the high number of approved claims suggests there isn't a "high level of care." - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart